Public Works

Public Works Commission

Commission: standing left Elissa J. Brown, Sara S. Schnitzer, Chair; Seated from left: James A. Smith, Judith K. Sprott, Paul A. Mahoney, vice Chair

The Public Works Commission acts as the Town's road, water, and sewer Commissioners, and advises the Public Works Director in the Department's efforts to maintain and protect the Town's public works, utility and solid waste/recycling services. The Commission also advises the Town Manager, Planning Board, and other Town boards on matters that concern Town water and sewer service, drainage, and roads, and is responsible for setting policy and rate schedules for water, sewer, and solid waste services; for acting as an appeals board for water and sewer bills; and for approving minimum standards for the final layout of Town roads.

The Public Works Commission provides a forum for review of water, sewer, and solid waste rates, the annual Roads Program, public street layout, temporary repairs to private ways, and water and sewer extensions and betterments.

In September, the Commission thanked retiring Public Works Director Bill Edgerton for his many years of service. Bill brought a high level of professionalism to the Department, as well as a deep and personal commitment to preserving the rural and historic character of Concord. Under his leadership, the Department developed sound long range financial plans, worked to replace aging infrastructure, and moved to the forefront of Public Works departments Statewide in their use of state-of-the-art technology and customer service. Bill always took time to work with other boards and committees to understand their concerns. The Commission will miss Mr. Edgerton, and we wish him well in his retirement.

Former Public Works Director Bill Edgerton retired in September after many years of service to Concord.

Citizens can follow the ongoing activities of the Commission throughout the year on its web pages, maintained by the Concord Public Works at its web site www.concordnet.org/cpw.

Actions in 2006 included:

• A public hearing in April for the 2006 Roads and Sidewalk Program.

• A public hearing and Commission approval to increase curbside collection and disposal rates in February.

• Approval of a new apartment and condominium recycling program and rate structure for collection in May.

• An extensive and wide-ranging discussion on how to prepare for expected upcoming requests for additional sewer connections.

• Official approval of the Toilet Rebate Program.

• Approval of the 30% discount in their water rate for customers eligible for the State Circuit Breaker Tax Credit, a Clause 41A tax deferral, or for a clause 41C tax exemption.

• A public hearing and approval of new water/sewer rates.

• A policy discussion and drafting of a letter to the Board of Selectmen urging a "time out" in the dep's implementation of the Water Management Act, and suggestion that a Blue Ribbon Commission develop a comprehensive policy that would achieve the environmental goals sought without the shortcomings of the current policy.

• A public hearing and approval of the Cambridge Turnpike water main extension.

• A public hearing and approval of the Bolton Street water main extension.

• A public hearing and approval of the assessment of betterments on property affected by the completion of Phase I of the Comprehensive Wastewater Master Plan.

• A public hearing and approval of the Beharrell Street sewer main extension.

• A letter sent from the Commission and Alan Cathcart, Water & Sewer Superintendent, to the Town Manager, detailing previous agreements in place for temporary access only to the Hugh Cargill water supply land.

• Approval to suspend sewer betterment payments on parcel numbers 1042/43 and 4214 because of their agricultural status.